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It's not a "fierce objection", it's a dismissal based on knowledge of science and engineering. And just because a concept flies in the face of scientific reason and will never work, that does not stop some oddballs from wanting to do research on it. Look at all the crackpots out there trying to...

Ask anyone with a dual fuel petrol/lpg car. Both will require major investments in new infrastructure for deployment on any significant scale but I think you're probably right - it's the short term, small scale thinking of our useless politicians again, thinking that electric cars will be the...

Not necessary. Bulk hydrogen isn't currently stored in compressed tanks - it's stored as a cryogenic liquid instead. We already have some infrastructure for moving around large quantities of hydrogen in this way. Piped hydrogen is also a possibility for the future but hasn't yet been developed...

One other thing regarding the hydrogen BMW - there were reports at the time wringing hands about safety, conveniently ignoring the fact that petrol isn't exactly safe. Comparatively, in most situations, hydrogen is actually a lot safer. Of course, it's still an explosive gas, so there is...

You'd need dual tanks if you were going to maintain compatibility with conventional fuels, just as you do if you get your car converted to run on LPG. As for creating a vehicle that would ONLY run on ammonia, now that would be nonsense. Again, it's not nonsense - there's a reason why hydrogen...

Well, maybe. The energy density of food is awesome but the only efficient way to utilise it is to eat it an pedal away! ;) There's also the somewhat pernicious issue of fuel for transport competing with our food supply...

flecc - Having read your subsequent posts, I don't think our opinions are actually that far apart on the broader issues. However, I have to say something on the ammonia idea - from a scientific and engineering standpoint, it's completely bonkers. Hell, it even makes hydrogen look good (and...

After mulling this over, I've decided to get a spare 8Ah battery. The supplier has offered me one at a good price in view of the problems I've had so it's looking like the best option. Also, the 8Ah battery is light enough to carry around with me, so it won't be a problem at uni. I'm now...

But where are you going to get the ammonia from? Fossil fuels, that's where. Back to square one.

That may well be the case, but still, I appreciate the debate. The problem with this argument is that it's never really been tested. While motorists whine bitterly about fuel tax, they overlook the massive effective subsidy that road transport receives, through the provision and maintenance of...

A bit patronising, no? My experience of the Netherlands is based on actually being there. Many times, over 20+ years. Not from photos or videos. Actual experience of being a pedestrian, a cyclists and a motorists in various towns and cities. This is really just a bit myopic. Yes, most of us...

Flecc - you're right about how the current situation came to be but I don't share your pessimism about our ability to change it. If there's one thing that video shows, it's that the Dutch had to fight for their right to cycle safely. There's nothing so very different about the country - in...

That's certainly a big part of it. Another important factor, however, is civil liability in the case of an accident: in bike-car collisions, the motorists is assumed to be at fault unless they can prove otherwise. The result is a nation of *much* more careful drivers. Whenever I've suggested...

Just fitted my new Brooks Flyer "Aged" saddle. First impressions: it's surprisingly comfortable! After hearing lots of horror stories and dark forebodings, I'm a little shocked to discover it's a hell of a lot more comfortable than the rock-hard lump of misery supplied as standard with my bike...

I'm assured by my next-door neighbour (who happens to be a research chemist) that we're a long way off the limits of chemistry. Apparently the main concern with using more lively chemistry in batteries is safety. In the lab they can make batteries based on far more reactive components (e.g...

True. That has more to do with poor science journalism though: many newspapers and journals simply parrot the press releases of pre-IPO companies without bothering to fact-check. But the fact is, there has been enormous progress in battery technology in the last few decades. When I was a kid...

Not really.

I looked at house insurance options myself, and found that most home contents policies cap the value of any bikes at £1000-£1500 - no use for me. I realise this may be adequate for some though.

This, exactly. In the UK, cycling exists primarily as a sport, not a method of transport. To that end, practically the entire industry is geared up to cater for the sporting person, with finicky derailleur gears, crazy arse-in-the-air riding positions and superlight bikes.

Interesting stuff. Sounds like it's not ready for the market yet - of course that doesn't mean it never will be. I guess there are one or two engineering problems to solve first.